Have you ever noticed how much the weather improves when school returns?
I haven’t conducted a statistical analysis but there often seems to be a correlation between the return to school and some really lovely weather. Perhaps a bit frustrating for our students or families who battled last week’s wet weather on holidays! However, it is great to see the return of our students (including our Indonesian Service-Learning trip students) brightened by the beautiful day and the excitement of getting into our new primary classrooms.
There are many good reasons to get back into school for our students, the weather being the least significant of these. Minimising the interruptions to learning and increasing the engagement with education is an important part of each child’s learning. However, there are potentially more reasons to value the face-to-face time that children have at school.
“There are many good reasons to get back into school for our students...”
A recent article by Dr Dot Dumuid from the University of South Australia (published in Education Matters) also pointed out the potentially negative impact of holiday breaks, particularly the long summer holiday, on children’s health and fitness. A study conducted by University of SA followed primary aged students over the course of two years and identified reduced fitness after holidays. The study noted that if children spent an entire year on holidays, their aerobic fitness would be 10 percent lower than if they had been at school. As a parent, I notice how much my own children’s patterns change in holidays. It is hard work getting them back into school sleep routines and into activity.
Of course, breaks often coincide with the end of sports seasons, family celebrations, and other factors that can influence health. A 2007 study referenced by Dr Dumuid showed holiday time increased time on screens by almost an hour per day and decreased time spent on activity by 10 minutes per day. It turns out that the positive benefit of school includes consistent routines, healthier sleeping habits and some regular physical activity. As parents, we can help by encouraging good sleep patterns, physical activity and great eating habits. Great habits of body, mind and the spiritual disciplines of the soul are important goals for our students as we launch into a new term.
Scott Ambrose - Principal